Biography
Who is Rayan Cherki?
Early life and beginnings
Mathis Rayan Cherki was born in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon, France. He grew up in the region and is of Italian and Algerian heritage. His parents are Fabrice Amsellem and Abla Cherki.
He joined the youth academy at Olympique Lyonnais as a young player and progressed through the ranks quickly. By age 15, he was already appearing for the club reserve team in the Championnat National 2 league. This early exposure helped him prepare for the senior level of professional sport.
Professional career at Lyon
Rayan signed his first professional contract with Lyon in July 2019. He debuted in Ligue 1 during an October match against Dijon. He soon became the youngest player to score for the club in the Coupe de France during a game against Bourg-en-Bresse in 2020. Later that year, he appeared in a UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.
He continued to improve his game over the next several seasons. In 2024, he extended his contract with Lyon until 2027. His performance during the 2024–25 season proved highly successful. He became the top assist provider in the league and earned a spot on the UNFP Team of the Year. He also received the Ligue 1 Dribbler of the Year award. Also, he excelled in the UEFA Europa League, where he provided the most assists and helped his team reach the quarter-finals.
Move to Manchester City
In June 2025, Rayan Cherki moved to the English Premier League to join Manchester City on a five-year deal. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the club during a FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Ain that same month. He was later assigned the number 10 shirt following the departure of Jack Grealish.
His Premier League debut came in August 2025 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he scored as a substitute. He also recorded goals in the EFL Cup against Swansea City and the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund. In 2026, he continued to contribute offensively with goals against Crystal Palace and Sunderland. During his first seasons in England, he helped the club secure both the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
International career and awards
Rayan has represented France at several levels of international competition. He played for the France national under-16 team in 2018. In 2024, he was part of the squad that competed in the Olympic Games held in France. He played in matches against New Zealand, Egypt, and Spain. The team won the silver medal, and he was subsequently awarded the Knight of the National Order of Merit.
He made his debut for the senior French national team in June 2025 during the Nations League semi-finals against Spain. He scored and assisted in that match. In May 2026, he received a call-up to the squad for the FIFA World Cup.
Birthday and age
Rayan Cherki was born on August 17, 2003, which makes Rayan 23 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Rayan shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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